SEVERAL lawmakers raised the issue of the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), calling for it to be expedited and not just be political rhetoric.

One of the MPs, Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Sibuti-GPS), said it was time for the government to implement MA63, and resolve several issues, including oil royalties and petroleum cash payments.

“I also suggest Parliament provide a copy of MA63 to all MPs, that can be used as a reference and at the same time help understand the contents of the agreement,” he said when debating the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Similarly, Masir Kujat (Sri Aman-PSB) urged the government to involve stakeholders in every discussion on MA63.

He said the governments of Sabah and Sarawak should participate in all committees set up by the government towards realising the implementation of the agreement.

“Besides, the implementation of MA63 needs to be expedited and given priority by the government, not just be mere political rhetoric,” he said.

For Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar-Warisan), the issue of MA63 in the memorandum of understanding on transformation and political stability, does not clearly state the implementation period.

He said it was different from the other five agenda items listed in the MOU, which had implementation targets.

“However, when it comes to the Malaysia Agreement, only three lines are stated, as if it is just to appease the people in Sabah regarding MA63,” he said.

Azis also wanted to know whether the government would maintain its stance not to make public the final report of the special cabinet committee review of the implementation of MA63.

A total of 28 MPs took part in today’s debate session. Among them were Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Padang Rengas-BN) and Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH), who touched on the issue of parliamentary transformation and administration, and expressed their views that the amount of allocation given to MPs, both from the government and the opposition, should be the same.

Nazri said the matter should not be discriminatory, as all allocations received by MPs were for the benefit of the people in their respective parliamentary constituencies.

“The allocation for MPs can be resolved if Parliament is truly independent and no longer under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department, and needing to apply for funds from the Finance Ministry.

“Hence, I welcome Santubong (Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar) to work on it and we support it, so that Parliament is independent, and we can put the total allocation for all MPs,” said Fahmi.

The sitting continues tomorrow. – Bernama, September 20, 2021.